Three Counties Show: SEIB Search for a Star and Racehorse to Riding Horse 2026 Results
SEIB Insurance Brokers’ Search for a Star qualifiers took place at the fantastic venue of Royal Three Counties Show in Malvern Worcestershire on the 12th to 14th June. Search for a Star Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) and Your Horse Live (YHL) qualifiers took place on each of the three days of this prestigious, high-profile county show.
HOYS Qualifying Classes
The SEIB Search for a Star Working Pony HOYS qualifier took place in the main Working Hunter ring at Three Counties. Twenty-two ponies, of all types came forward for judging with the class going to Welsh Section B pony, Cadlan Valley Topman and twelve-year-old Bethany Hemming. The Hemmings have owned Barney as this chestnut pony is known for nearly a year. Bethany said: “This is our first Search for a Star qualifier we are so lucky as our friends Rachel James and her daughter Libby have helped us get into showing. They’ve helped us with lesson planning and using their arena and generally supporting us.”
In a competitive Working Horse class, top spot went to Toncynffyg Liberal Lad and Jade Bissmire. Known as Buddy at home this dark bay gelding was a 16th Birthday present for Jade several years ago. Jade said: “I’ve always wanted to qualify Buddy for HOYS but it came as a surprise today. He can be the class clown when he wants! We’ve had Buddy since he was an unbroken four-year-old and he’s fifteen now, we’ve competed in showing and eventing over the years. I work as a police officer and came to Three Counties from a night shift, I finished work at 5am and got straight into the lorry!” Jade competed at HOYS when she was a child on a 13hh show pony she had on loan.
Working Horse and Working Pony judge, Corelia Maskell Moseley said: “The standard of horses and ponies forward in these classes was strong and the turnout was immense! What a wonderful bunch they were, supportive of each other and it was lovely to see such a range of horses and ponies. I was thrilled to be asked to judge these classes and it was fabulous to see the competitors enjoying themselves. I’d encourage anyone to come forward to give these classes a go, everyone has a chance and also age is no barrier either!”
Qualifying for Horse of the Year Show in the Show Hunters were Charlotte Harry and Pembrey Golda Mae. Known as Priya at home this chestnut mare has been owned by Charlotte for three-years now. Charlotte said: “Priya is the most amazing horse, HOYS has been a childhood dream my while life! We went looking for a horse three-years ago and had even spent three days in Ireland searching for one before we found Priya an hour up the road! We bought her as four-year-old from her breeder as she was being broken in. We went to our first ever show in 2024 – the Royal Welsh Spring Show and came 2nd! We’ve carried on from there and went to the Royal International last year where we were unplaced but received fantastic feedback. We’ve qualified for the RI this year and recently have been competing in some British Dressage (BD) competitions too – we won two classes at our first ever BD show and came 4th at the Pet Plan Winter Championships before taking 10th in the Winter National Championship! I work 8am to 4.30 every day for a medical company that produces diagnostics for diabetes.”
In the Riding Horse Hack class the win went to Rosie Chetwynd-Talbot and Mrs F Bond’s mare, Summerdance. Rosie said: “We got Summerdance in April, on loan. She has done a season’s showing before and our plan is to do lots of hacking at home and go out to shows. Summerdance is seven-years-old and was bred for dressage. We are also aiming to qualify for the Royal International in the Amateur Riding Horses.” Rosie works as an Estate Agent for Equestrian Properties.
The SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse qualifier at Three Counties went to the popular bay, An Cathaoir owned and ridden by Victoria Bertorelli. Now 17-years-old, An Cathaoir, known as Angus, has never looked better. An emotional Victoria said: “We bought Angus in lockdown, the plan was for my partner, Gavin (Merkel) and I to share him. Gavin would hunt him and I would compete. Angus and Gavin don’t get on though so it was down to me! We’ve been through so much together, and overcome so many setbacks to get here. Angus lost his eye through an injury and we’ve had plenty of other challenges on the way! Angus ran under National Hunt rules and in Point to Points, he then became a hunt horse before we bought him.
“We’ve been coming to these qualifiers for three years now and said that this year it will be what it will be. We’ve been improving and Ian Smeeth has been giving us lessons, he’s changed the bit which has helped too. Getting to HOYS has been the goal and now we’ve done it!” Gavin added: “Victoria and Angus getting to HOYS is probably the proudest moment of my life!”
The HOYS SEIB Search for a Star Cob and Maxi Cob qualifier went to six-year-old Rathnagrew Larry and Emma Morrell. Owned by Jess Wort, Larry was at just his third ever show at Three Counties. Emma explained: “This result is fantastic! Today was a bit of an ask for Larry and the first time he’s been ridden by a ride judge so we’re delighted.” Jess added: “We got Larry as a three-year-old from his breeder who he named after himself! I bought him to hack around as I liked the look of him. I’m now pregnant so was on the lookout for someone to ride him. Emma is truly bitten by the showing bug, she saw his potential and started riding him in January in fun rides and riding club dressage. We had no expectations and now six months later we’re off to HOYS!”
In the Traditional Gypsy Cob HOYS Search for a Star qualifier at Three Counties, first place and HOYS qualification went to Rosie White and Blue Cross Kalice. Rosie said: “We’d been doing several of the Search for a Star qualifiers and had been placed. She was really thrown in at the deep end at Three Counties after all her time off. The win definitely exceeded our expectations! I’ve always wanted to qualify for HOYS and as an amateur, Search for a Star has provided the perfect route. Kali was rescued by the Blue Cross as a young horse. We had her as an unbroken four-year-old and have slowly built our relationship.” Rosie works full-time as a dental nurse and also has a two-year-old son. She added: “We’ll be working on our fitness and going on lots of beach rides before HOYS!”
Your Horse Live Qualifying Classes
In the Search for a Star Lead Rein class, five-year-old Gwennie Hodge and her Welsh Section A pony, Lacy Stingbee took top spot to qualify for Your Horse Live. Gwennie and her mum, Gabrielle have had Sting for a year. Gabrielle said: “Gwennie and Sting are members of the Pembrokeshire Hunt Pony Club, they will go to Pony Club camp this summer.”
The First Ridden SEIB Search for a Star Your Horse Live qualifier at Three Counties went to eight-year-old Imogen Key and her Welsh section A Twyford Gyro. This pair are no strangers to Your Horse Live, Imogen’s mum said: “Imogen and Gyro qualified in Search for a Star last year at the Pony Club Championships. They took 4th place at Your Horse Live. They have also qualified for Royal International in the Pretty Polly and will do Pony Club Area dressage competitions over the summer too for the Atherstone Pony Club.”
Lily Taylor and Crafton Mikado, known as Mickey, won the Open Pony Club Search for a Star Your Horse Live qualifier. Lily has owned Mickey for four years, in which time they’ve done lots of Pony Club activities and a bit of showing, Lily said: “Last year we had been doing unaffiliated showing and then a Search for a Star qualifier. We’ve had some lessons with Mathew Lawrence who said we should go for it with Search for a Star!”
The only SEIB Search for a Star class open to any rider, including professionals, the Still a Star Open Veteran class at Three Counties went to former five-star eventer Sportsfield Quality, ridden by Kate Baldwin. Now 25-years-old and owned by Stephanie Palmer, this handsome chestnut, known as Mr Q was formerly competed by Oliver Townend and then went on to be selected for the Italian Eventing Team for the Rio-de-Janeiro Olympics in 2016 before he very sadly sustaining an injury in the lead up to the competition.
Kate said: “The tendon injury Mr Q had in 2016 was career ending for eventing. His owner Stephanie brought him through rehab and Mr Q went on to compete up to Prix-St-Georges level in dressage before retiring aged 21. He clearly didn’t want to retire though so he’s been competing in showing instead. He’s now 24 and loves going out to shows alongside hacking in Wentwood forest. He’s ridden daily and also nannies younger horses. Steph and Mr Q have also competed in-hand in showing at the London Horse Show – I went along to groom for them.”
Chilham Night Sky, known as Vera, and Mollie Elsworth won the Ridden Your Horse Live qualifying Mountain and Moorland class at Three Counties. Mollie said: “I was delighted to qualify at The Royal Three Counties Show it was an amazing experience to win at a county show and I was not expecting it. Qualifying on our first attempt this season was a wonderful surprise!”
Vera and Mollie’s dad, Andrew Elsworth qualified for, and won, the In-Hand Mountain and Moorland Search for a Star Your Horse Live final in 2025 Mollie continued: “Having attended SEIB Search for a Star last year with dad and Vera, I really wanted to qualify in the ridden this season. The show is incredibly well organised with a welcoming and supportive atmosphere. Vera’s breeder (Vanessa Clark) came to watch Vera compete last year and was so proud to see her winning the in-hand class. I have messaged Vanessa this year and she is delighted to hear that Vera will be attending in the ridden final. Vera still enjoys showing and seems to be enjoying dressage although this will likely be Vera’s final ridden season in showing for a while as we are planning to put her in foal next year.” Mollie is studying for a business degree at university while bringing on her younger Connemara ponies with the hope to try and qualify them in the future.
Katie Sands and Ballinvoher Zidane, known as Leo, won the ridden Riding Club Horse Your Horse Live qualifier at Three Counties. Sixteen-year-old Katie and Part-Bred Irish Draught Leo have been together for four-years. Katie said: “We got Leo when he was four from Annie Dolton. We’ve done team chasing, eventing and working hunter classes together. I did a couple of Search for a Star qualifiers with him last year and am delighted we’ve qualified! We will do all the Pony Club Area competitions this summer having come third in the Grassroots Championships last year, I’m in the Wheatland Pony Club.”
Winning the In-Hand Traditional Gypsy Cob Pure-Bred class were Redwings Edward and Claire Davenport. 17-year-old Edward has been with Claire for the last six-years. Claire said: “I work at Redwings and my mum was looking for a horse. Edward was perfect for her so along he came! Edward has an ongoing liver problem and is regularly tested by the Redwings vets. He is a superstar!” Claire works in the Equine Behaviour Centre at Redwings Horse Sanctuary.
In the Part-Bred In-Hand Traditional Gypsy Cob class at Three Counties, Lightfoot Bob and Holly Mitchell were the winners. Holly said: “Bob belongs to Barbara Reed who owns an Alpaca and Donkey Farm. They’ve had 11—year-old Bob since he was a yearling, he was untouched when he arrived with Barbara. Bob is very lucky as he’s an Equine Grass Sickness survivor. In 2019 he spent two-weeks in Bell Equine and is very lucky to be here now. We only go to the occasional show and I’m thrilled we’ve won!”
Jodie Aston and Maescrofta Piece of the Past, known as George, won the In-Hand Plaited Horse Your Horse Live qualifier. Class judge, Richard Ramsay praised this three-year-old’s conformation. Handler Jodie said: “George is Part-Bred Welsh from the Maescrofta Stud. We did a swap with the stud – they had my mare I’d bred a foal from by their stallion in exchange for George. We did a bit of showing with him last year as a two-year-old in Non-Native Coloured classes and now this is our first go at Search for a Star. We will break him in next year and go to plenty of clinics. The horses live in my mum’s garden and are our hobby. I work as a foot health practitioner.”
The In-Hand Plaited Pony SEIB Search for a Star class at Three Counties went to Barramore Pinky Pie, known as Pinks, and her handler, Clare Alderman. A delighted Clare and Pinky had already taken second place and reserve champion in the Coloured class earlier in the day.. Clare said: “We are flying with it today! Pinks is a Dartmoor Hill Pony. I bought her as a foal wild off the moor. She’s now four, we’ll break her in in the winter. She caught my eye when I first saw her and we’ve shown since I got her and improved all the way. As a child I did lead rein showing and then ridden hunters before getting into ponies.”
The In-Hand Mountain and Moorland Your Horse Live Search for a Star class at Three Counties went to Jody Wheeler and her Exmoor pony Anchor Love Story. Jody is from Newport in South Wales.
Twenty-five-year-old Glenives Princess Sylvia and her handler, Amelia Stevens won the SEIB Search for a Star Your Horse Live qualifying In-Hand Veteran class. Amelia has owned Sylvie for ten-years now. She said: “We bought Sylvie as a confidence giver, I got my confidence back with her and she’s now got naughtier in her old age! Sylvie does light ridden work still and loves her hacking. We’ve mainly competed in dressage. Last year we did some veteran in-hand Search for a Star classes and came 2nd at Pickering Grange. We came 2nd in the last qualifier this season at Rutland before our win here! I work in retail, I used to work with horses but I have Juvenile Arthritis and couldn’t do the horses full-time anymore. Sylvie got colic when she was 19 and it didn’t look good, we were rushing to get her quickly to the vets and it untwisted her tummy just in time, she’s been on a water treadmill too.”
Search for a Star Organiser, Nicolina MacKenzie of the Absolutely Genuine Company said: “It was a real honour to have our Search for a Star qualifiers at Three Counties and our thanks goes to the show’s fantastic organising team. Many of the Search for a Star competitors made the most of the day out at a County Show and competed in other classes – in some cases also qualifying for other amateur championships on the day. A real highlight of the weekend was seeing Victoria Bertorelli and her lovely horse qualify in the SEIB R2R championship. Victoria has supported the classes for the past few seasons and been placed plenty of times before coming back today to take top spot.”
Please see www.seib.co.uk/competitions or the SEIB Search for a Star facebook page for updates. To enter please use links from the SEIB Search for a Star Facebook page. Each qualifying show has a specific Search for a Star Facebook Event set up to include all information for that event.
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Results SEIB Search for a Star and Racehorse to Riding Horse Royal Three Counties Show 31st May 2026
HOYS Qualifying classes:
Show Hunter – Pembrey Golda Mae owned and ridden by Charlotte Harry from Cardiff
Riding Horse Hack – Summerdance owned by Mrs F Bond and ridden by Rosie Chetwynd-Talbot from Lincolnshire
Show and Maxi Cob – Rathnagrew Larry owned by Jess Wort and ridden by Emma Morrell from Warwickshire
Racehorse to Riding Horse – An Cathaoir owned and ridden by Victoria Bertorelli from Hampshire
Traditional Gypsy Cob – Blue Cross Kalice owned and and ridden by Rosie White from Nottinghamshire
Working Horse – Toncynffyg Liberal Lad owned and ridden by Jade Bissmire from Bridgend
Working Pony – Cadlan Valley Topman owned and ridden by Bethany Hemming from Cheshire
Your Horse Live Qualifying Classes:
Mountain and Moorland Ridden – Chilham Night Sky owned and ridden by Mollie Elsworth from West Yorkshire
Mountain and Moorland In-Hand – Anchor Love Story owned and handled by Jody Wheeler from Newport South Wales
Open Ridden Veteran Horse and Pony – Sportsfield Quality owned by Stephanie Palmer and ridden by Kate Baldwin from Monmouthshire
Lead Rein Pony – Lacy Stingbee owned by Gabrielle Hodge and ridden by Gwennie Hodge from Dyfed
First Ridden Type – Twyford Gyro owned by Abigail Key and ridden by Imogen Key from Warwickshire
Pony Club Pony under 148cm – Crafton Mikado owned and ridden by Lily Taylor from Newport South Wales
Amateur In-Hand Plaited Pony – Barramore Pinky Pie owned and handled by Clare Alderman from Devon
Amateur In-Hand Plaited Horse including Hogged Show Cob – Maescrofta Piece of the Past owned and handled by Jodie Aston from Worcestershire
Amateur In-Hand Part-Bred Traditional – Lightfoot Bob owned by Barbara Reed and handled by Holly Mitchell from Kent
Amateur In-Hand Pure-Bred Traditional – Redwings Edward owned and handled by Claire Davenport from Norfolk
Amateur In-Hand Veteran – Glenives Princess Sylvia owned and handled by Amelia Stevens
Riding Club Show Horse or Pony – Ballinvoher Zidane owned and handled by Katie Sands from Shropshire
Further SEIB Search for a Star and SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse qualifiers 2026:
North of England Summer Show, Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th June, Warren Farm EC, L37 0AP. Classes: HOYS – all except Working Horse and Working Pony. YHL – Still a Star, ridden M and M and Lead Rein and First Ridden Only.
Royal Lancashire Show, Friday 3rd July to Sunday 5th July, Salesbury Hall, PR3 3XR. Classes: All HOYS except Working Horse and Working Pony. YHL only Still a Star and Ridden M and M.
TOYS, Thursday 30th July to Sunday 1st August, Onley Grounds EC, CV23 8AJ. Classes: All HOYS except Working Horse and Working Pony. All YHL.
Equifest, Tuesday 4th August to Sunday 9th August, Arena UK, NG32 2EF. Classes: All HOYS except Working Horse and Working Pony. All YHL.
National Hunter Supreme Championship, Tuesday 11th to Wednesday 12th August, Addington EC, MK18 2JR. R2R ONLY.
Pony Club Championships, Sunday 22nd August, Offchurch Bury, CV33 9AW. Classes: Pony Club Members Only.
Greenlands Arena, Sunday 30th August, Carlisle, CA4 0RR. Classes: All HOYS and YHL SFAS and R2R classes.
The Showing Register, Saturday 5th September, NAEC Stoneleigh, CV8 2LA. Classes: All HOYS SFAS and R2R classes only. No YHL classes.
Defender Burghley, Sunday 6th September, Stamford, PE9 3JY. Classes: R2R Only.
BSHA National Championship, Thursday 10th to Saturday 12th September, Addington EC, MK18 2JR. Classes: R2R Only.
LIHS BSHA Rising Stars Show, Sunday 13th September, Addington EC, MK18 2JR. Classes: YHL Still a Star and Ridden M and M Only.
HOYS SEIB Search for a Star Championship, Wednesday 7th to Sunday 11th October, Birmingham NEC.
YHL SEIB Search for a Star Championship, Friday 6th to Saturday 7th November, NAEC Stoneleigh.
All photo credits to 1st Class Images.
